Skyscrapers or Tall Buildings?
Generally, ‘Tall buildings’ are becoming
more indispensable structures
all over the world nowadays. It
is a solution for the increasing population
density of urban areas and can
be used as multipurpose buildings.
And also, it adds more attraction to
the cities as iconic landmarks. Furthermore,
many countries which are
known to be wealthy and powerful
and as well as the countries which are
reaching that state, tend to construct
structures like ‘skyscrapers’ to show their
power and wealth. Therefore, it has become a
global race.
Even though we interchangeably use the
terms ‘Tall’ and ‘Skyscraper’ to describe the
structures which are notable for their heights
compared with other structures, there is a
difference between buildings of ‘Tall or High-
Rise Buildings’ and ‘Skyscrapers’.
To qualify as a skyscraper, a structure must
be self-supporting and must not require tension
cables or supports to remain standing
Often the tallest structures in a city,
communication and observation towers aren’t
typically classed as skyscrapers
and there should be at least 50% of occupied
space of the structure’s total height.
Therefore, although they are the tallest structures
in the city, communication and observation
towers are not normally considered
as skyscrapers if they do not meet this 50%
threshold. Moreover, skyscrapers must rise
to a minimum height of 150m (492 feet).
According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitats (CTBUH), there is no absolute
definition for a tall building. A building is considered to be tall under one or more of the
following categories.
• Height Relative Context - A 14-storey building might not be considered to be tall in a high-rise
city like Hong Kong or Chicago but in a suburban area, this might be taller than other buildings.
• Proportion – There are numerous buildings that are not particularly high but adequately give
the appearance of a tall building. On the other hand, there are numerous buildings that are
quite high but their floor area rules them out of being classified as a tall building.
• Embracing Technologies Relevant to Tall Buildings – A building which has specific vertical
transport technologies, structural wind bracing as a product of height, etc. might be considered
as a tall building.
Although the number of floors is a poor indicator of defining a building height, a building with
14 or more storeys or rise more than 50m in height could be typically used as the threshold for a
tall building.
GAUGE Magazine
University of Peradeniya
Page
47